Irresistible Red Velvet Peppermint Gooey Butter Cookies: Your Ultimate Holiday Baking Delight
As the holiday season draws near, kitchens everywhere become bustling hubs of warmth, laughter, and the irresistible aroma of freshly baked treats. It’s a magical time, perfect for indulging in festive flavors and creating cherished memories with loved ones. If you’re searching for a cookie recipe that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Christmas – combining ease of preparation with delightful holiday flair – then look no further than these Red Velvet Peppermint Gooey Butter Cookies. Imagine the rich, classic taste of red velvet, beautifully infused with a cool, refreshing peppermint twist, all wrapped up in a wonderfully gooey, melt-in-your-mouth texture. These cookies are not just a dessert; they are an experience, a joyous celebration of the season in every bite.
Love the invigorating kick of peppermint in your desserts? You’re in for a treat! After mastering these gooey butter cookies, be sure to explore more of our festive peppermint favorites. Dive into the decadent world of our Peppermint Brownies, boasting a delightful blend of chocolate, marshmallows, and crunchy peppermint. Or perhaps you’d prefer the charming sweetness of our Peppermint Kiss Cookies, a classic with a refreshing twist that’s perfect for cookie exchanges. Each recipe promises to bring a burst of minty cheer to your holiday table, making your festive baking adventures even more exciting.
Embracing the Joy of Holiday Baking Traditions
Indeed, ’tis the season for holiday baking, and my kitchen has been absolutely buzzing with activity! There’s something truly special about this time of year that inspires us to pull out our aprons, dust off our mixing bowls, and get creative with festive ingredients. What’s your go-to holiday treat to whip up? For me, the magic of Christmas baking extends beyond just the delicious end result; it’s about the entire process, the shared moments, and the creation of lasting memories.
This year, I made a firm decision: it’s the perfect time to bring my daughter into the heart of the kitchen with me. Not only does an extra pair of hands make holiday baking a bit easier (especially when you’re making multiple batches!), but my primary motivation is to build those precious memories. I want her to look back on her childhood and fondly recall the times we spent together, flour dusting our noses, the scent of vanilla and peppermint filling the air, and Christmas carols playing softly in the background as we baked batches of festive cookies. It’s an invaluable opportunity to pass down not just recipes, but also traditions, techniques, and the pure joy that comes from making something special from scratch. One day, I envision her teaching these very same tricks and sharing these cherished moments with a daughter of her own, continuing a heartwarming tradition through generations.
Discovering the Magic of Red Velvet Peppermint Gooey Butter Cookies
For our inaugural cookie-baking session of the season, my daughter and I decided to dive into a batch of these extraordinary Red Velvet Peppermint Gooey Butter Cookies. This recipe is a brilliant holiday adaptation of one of our long-standing favorites right here on the blog – the classic red velvet gooey butter cookie. The addition of vibrant peppermint elevates it to a whole new level, infusing just the right amount of holiday spirit and a refreshing burst of flavor. These cookies are not only incredibly festive but also remarkably simple to make, making them an ideal choice for baking with children. The process involves mixing, rolling, and even getting your hands wonderfully sticky, which kids absolutely adore! It’s an engaging and rewarding activity that results in a truly spectacular holiday treat.
What sets these cookies apart is their unique texture: crisp on the outside, yet wonderfully soft and “gooey” on the inside, reminiscent of a rich butter cake. The red velvet cake mix base ensures a moist crumb and that iconic deep red hue, while the peppermint extract weaves in a cool, minty flavor that perfectly complements the cocoa notes of the red velvet. Rolling the dough in crushed peppermint candy canes adds a delightful textural crunch and an extra layer of festive flavor and visual appeal. It’s a cookie that truly stands out on any holiday platter, offering a sophisticated yet playful twist on traditional holiday sweets.
The Essential Trick for Perfect Peppermint Crunch
While these cookies are wonderfully straightforward, I have one crucial tip that will elevate them from delicious to absolutely perfect: pay close attention to the consistency of your crushed candy canes. My biggest piece of advice is to ensure that the candy canes you roll the dough in are crushed *super finely*. This might seem like a small detail, but it makes a significant difference. If you leave larger chunks or pieces of candy cane, they will, unfortunately, melt in the oven during baking. When this happens, those melted sugar puddles can make the cookies stick to the baking sheet, making them difficult to remove cleanly. More importantly, it compromises the beautiful, even coating and the delicate texture you’re aiming for.
Finely crushed candy canes, on the other hand, adhere beautifully to the dough, creating a gorgeous, evenly coated exterior that provides a delightful, subtle crunch without any sticky mishaps. To achieve this ideal consistency, I highly recommend using a food processor or a sturdy blender. Pulse the unwrapped candy canes in short bursts until you have fine, sand-like crumbs. If you don’t have these appliances, a ziplock bag and a rolling pin can also work wonders – just make sure to really pulverize those candies until they’re powdery. This extra step ensures your Red Velvet Peppermint Gooey Butter Cookies look as stunning as they taste, and slide effortlessly off the cookie sheet, ready to be devoured.
Step-by-Step Perfection: Crafting Your Gooey Butter Cookies
Making these delightful cookies is a straightforward process, perfect for bakers of all skill levels, especially those involving little helpers. Let’s walk through the steps to ensure your Red Velvet Peppermint Gooey Butter Cookies turn out perfectly gooey and utterly irresistible every time.
Prepping Your Dough for Success
First, ensure your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature. This is crucial for a smooth, lump-free dough. In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, cream together the softened cream cheese and butter until the mixture is light, fluffy, and completely smooth. This foundation is key to the cookie’s signature gooey texture. Next, beat in the egg and the peppermint extract. The egg adds structure and richness, while the peppermint extract delivers that signature cool, festive flavor. Finally, gradually add in the red velvet cake mix. Be sure to mix on low speed just until everything is combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, and we want them perfectly tender. Once the dough comes together, cover the bowl and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours. This chilling period is vital; it firms up the dough, making it much easier to handle and preventing excessive spreading during baking, which helps maintain that lovely gooey center.
Crushing Candy Canes and Rolling Perfection
While your dough chills, prepare your candy cane coating. Unwrap six full-sized peppermint candy canes and place them in a food processor or a sturdy blender. Pulse them until they are very fine crumbs, almost like a powder. Remember, the finer the crumbs, the better the result, as this prevents melting and sticking. Pour these festive crumbs into a shallow bowl, ready for coating. Once your dough is chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking. Using a small cookie scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons in size), portion out the dough. With clean hands, quickly roll each portion into a smooth ball. Then, roll each dough ball generously in the crushed candy cane crumbs, ensuring it’s fully coated. Place the coated dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, leaving a couple of inches between each to allow for slight spreading.
Baking to Gooey Perfection
Bake the cookies for 11-12 minutes, or until the edges are just set and the centers still look soft and slightly puffy. It’s important not to overbake them, as this is what gives them their signature gooey texture. The cookies might appear slightly underdone in the middle, but they will continue to set as they cool. Once baked, remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them firm up enough to handle without losing their gooey interior. Once cooled, these Red Velvet Peppermint Gooey Butter Cookies are ready to be served and savored. Their vibrant red color, combined with the white and red speckles of peppermint, makes them an incredibly appealing addition to any holiday dessert spread.
Serving Suggestions and Storage Tips
These cookies are truly a delight on their own, but they also pair beautifully with a variety of festive beverages. Imagine enjoying one with a steaming mug of hot cocoa, perhaps topped with a swirl of whipped cream and a sprinkle of extra peppermint crumbs. They also make a fantastic accompaniment to a glass of cold milk or even a festive holiday latte. If you’re planning a holiday cookie exchange or looking for thoughtful homemade gifts, these cookies are perfect. Arrange them in a pretty tin or box, perhaps tied with a festive ribbon, and they are sure to bring smiles to anyone lucky enough to receive them.
To store your Red Velvet Peppermint Gooey Butter Cookies, place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If you want to extend their freshness, they can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, these cookies freeze wonderfully. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper. They will keep well in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Simply thaw them at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy that delightful gooey texture again.
More Holiday Cookies to Spark Your Festive Spirit
The holiday season is a wonderful excuse to bake to your heart’s content! If you’re looking for even more delightful cookie recipes to add to your festive repertoire, here are a few other favorites that are sure to spread cheer:
Peppermint Holiday Soft Sugar Cookie Recipe
The Best Sugar Cookie Recipe with Sugar Cookie Icing
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
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Red Velvet Peppermint Gooey Butter Cookies
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Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese at room temperature
- 1/2 cup butter at room temperature
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 box red velvet cake mix
- 6 full sized peppermint candy canes
Instructions
- Place the cream cheese and the butter in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer and beat until completely smooth. Beat in the egg and the peppermint extract. Add the cake mix and beat on low just until completely combined.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Place the unwrapped candy canes in a food processor or blender. Pulse until you have fine crumbs. Pour into a bowl.
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- Using a small scoop, about 1 1/2 tablespoons, scoop out some of the dough. Using clean hands, roll the dough into a ball, then roll in the candy cane crumbs. Place on an ungreased baking sheet.
- Bake for 11-12 minutes, or until just set. Let cool then serve.